Starkey likes to cook, which partly explains why about three years ago she turned to her mother, Tonya Starkey, and declared they ought to open a cafe in their hometown, Canastota.

Mom, a former private investigator, took her daughter seriously. In May 2015, they opened The Toast, a breakfast-and-lunch cafe in Madison County.

Back then, Kylie Starkey hated baking. So for the first year or so the duo, with the help of Tonya's mother Rosemary Aubeuf and sister Brigit La Vine, shared the bakery duties at the cafe on South Peterboro Street. They made quick breads, fruit crisps, muffins, even dog treats. (And they still do.)

But sometime last year, Kylie took up the challenge of lamination. That's the process of folding butter into dough, patiently and repeatedly. The method multiplies the dough and butter into dozens of tiny layers found inside puff pastry, Danishes and, yes, croissants.

By February, the women traveled to Paris so Kylie could take a class to learn more about laminated dough. It was the first time Kylie Starkey had traveled outside of the United States. It was the first time for her mother, too, except for a quick crossing into Canada at Niagara Falls.

Kylie says the Parisian lessons confirmed the techniques she had taught herself. But she also picked up a few pro tips that help solve problems when the yeast-based dough and butter don't perform perfectly.

"It's so challenging and frustrating," Kylie Starkey says.

And rewarding. Since the Starkeys upped their baking game and expanded into more challenging pastries, more customers have begun to take notice. Thanks to their more diverse menu and Kylie's Instagraming efforts, diners are now coming from Albany, Watertown, even the Catskills for their baked goods.

"People drive for their pastries," Tonya Starkey says.

The cafe has a savory side, too. The family serves a variety of toasts for breakfast and lunch, including green goddess (with avocado), fried chicken, Bahn mi, smoked salmon, and Croque Madame (bechamel, cheese, ham and egg). There's even a Peterboro toast: scrambled eggs with cheddar, bacon and chipotle.

Everything is homemade, Tonya Starkey says, from the roasted turkey to the sandwich and toast breads. The menu also has a vegan side, and some gluten-free options are available. The cafe is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays and 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends.

The women take custom orders and make cakes for special occasions. They also deliver to spots in Madison County, and are planning to expand that service into Onondaga County next year.

Kylie Starkey has plans for next year, too.

"I hope to get into sourdough," she said. The process relies on fermentation to rise and flavor breads and baked goods. She says she has a starter, the primary mixture needed to create the dough. "But it's not quite right yet."